The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is inviting applications for its Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Skills Development Opportunities for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The opportunities are aimed at unemployed youth, TVET students, unemployed graduates and learners who need Work Integrated Learning (WIL) to complete their studies. Successful applicants will receive practical workplace exposure and training and may be placed at MISA-identified municipalities.
The MISA Apprenticeship Programme offers a three-year learnership designed to train learners towards becoming qualified artisans, while the Experiential Learnership Programme provides two-year internship opportunities for unemployed technical graduates.
If you are looking for apprenticeship, internship or WIL opportunities in South Africa, here is everything you need to know about the MISA 2026/2027 programmes, including the requirements, participating municipalities, application process, reference numbers and closing date.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | Details |
| Organisation | Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) |
| Department | Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) |
| Programme | MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme |
| Financial Year | 2026/2027 |
| Opportunity Type | Apprenticeship, Experiential Learnership and WIL |
| Target Applicants | Unemployed youth, TVET learners, graduates and WIL students |
| Apprenticeship Duration | 3 years |
| Graduate Experiential Learnership | 2 years |
| WIL Duration | 12–24 months |
| Apprenticeship Trades | Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic and Diesel Mechanic |
| Placement | MISA-identified host municipalities |
| Stipend | Not specified in the information provided |
| Closing Date | 28 September 2026 |
| Application Method | |
| Official Websites | MISA / CoGTA |
About the MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme
The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is a Schedule 3 government component of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG). Its mandate includes providing technical support and building technical capacity within municipalities to improve the planning, delivery, operation and maintenance of municipal infrastructure.
For the 2026/2027 financial year, MISA is offering skills development opportunities designed to provide training and practical workplace exposure.
Successful candidates will be placed with municipalities identified by MISA. Applicants are encouraged to select a municipality where they would like to be placed when completing their application.
MISA encourages applicants to consider municipalities in the areas where they live to help minimise travelling and accommodation costs.
A. MISA Apprenticeship Programme
The MISA Apprenticeship Programme is a three-year learnership programme aimed at training unemployed youth to become artisans.
The programme focuses on applicants from TVET colleges and accredited training institutions who have relevant qualifications for admission into the targeted artisanal trades.
Successful apprentices will receive a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training as they work towards qualifying as artisans.
The targeted trades are:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Bricklaying
- Motor Mechanic
- Diesel Mechanic
Applicants should clearly indicate the municipality where they wish to be placed during the learning period.
Apprenticeship Requirements
The minimum academic requirements depend on the trade being applied for.
For Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying and Motor Mechanic, applicants may qualify through one of the following routes:
- Engineering Science or a full N2 Engineering qualification with four relevant subjects, including Engineering Science, Industrial Electronics, Mathematics and the fourth subject relevant to the trade.
- Technical trade theory programmes quality assured by a SETA and deemed equivalent to NQF Level 3.
- A relevant Engineering NC(V) Certificate with seven subjects at NQF Level 3.
- Technical Grade 11 with Mathematics, Science, language and a related theory subject.
- A relevant N6 certificate or National Technical Diploma in the T, S or N stream.
For Diesel Mechanic, the stated requirements include:
- Technical Grade 12 with Mathematics; or
- Engineering Science or full N2 Engineering with the relevant trade theory; or
- N3 Engineering with four relevant subjects, including Engineering Science, Industrial Electronics, Mathematics and Diesel Mechanic Trade Theory.
SETA Useful Information:
- SETA Learnerships 2026: How to Apply and Find Opportunities
- What Is a SETA in South Africa? A Complete Guide for 2026
- How to Apply for SETA Learnerships in South Africa 2026
- List of All SETAs in South Africa and What They Do in 2026
Apprenticeship Reference Numbers
Applicants must use the correct reference number when applying:
| Trade | Reference Number |
| Electrical | 2026/01 |
| Plumbing | 2026/02 |
| Bricklaying | 2026/03 |
| Motor Mechanic | 2026/04 |
| Diesel Mechanic | 2026/05 |
B. MISA Experiential Learnership Programme
The MISA Experiential Learnership Programme is aimed at unemployed graduates who require workplace exposure, as well as unemployed youth who need WIL experience to complete their studies.
Graduate Opportunities
MISA is offering two-year internship learning opportunities to unemployed graduates in technical fields relevant to municipal infrastructure operations and maintenance.
The programme is intended for unemployed graduates from:
- Universities
- Universities of Technology
- TVET colleges
The experiential learnership is designed to provide graduates with work-based experience that can help them gain exposure to the labour market.
The advertised experiential opportunities include technical fields such as:
- Electrical
- Civil
- Town planning
Applicants should use the relevant reference number and email address provided by MISA when applying.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Opportunities
MISA is also offering opportunities to learners who require between 12 and 24 months of practical work experience or Work Integrated Learning to complete their academic programmes.
Applicants must be willing and available for placement, including possible rotation and relocation to other municipalities or private-sector organisations where necessary to obtain adequate workplace exposure.
Learners who still need WIL to satisfy their institution’s requirements must provide a release letter from their institution of higher learning confirming approval to undertake the required work exposure.
Importantly, MISA states that participation in the programme does not guarantee employment after qualification.
Experiential Learnership Reference Numbers and Email Addresses
The information provided lists the following experiential learnership applications:
| Reference | Field | |
| 2026a | Electrical | CB.electrical01@misa.gov.za |
| 2026b | Civil | CB.civil@misa.gov.za |
| 2026c | Town Planning | CB.town@misa.gov |
Applicants should ensure that they use the correct reference number and email address for the opportunity they are applying for.
Explore Other Opportunities:
- Learnerships 2026
- Graduate Programmes
- Internships
- People With Grade 12
- Retail Jobs
- Paid Learnerships
- Apprenticeships
- Vacancies
- Bursaries
- Career Advice
- SETAs
- Youth Opportunities
- Fellowship Programme
Who Can Apply?
The MISA opportunities may be suitable for:
- Unemployed youth interested in artisan careers.
- TVET college learners with relevant technical qualifications.
- Applicants who meet the academic requirements for the advertised trades.
- Unemployed technical graduates seeking workplace experience.
- Graduates from universities, universities of technology or TVET colleges.
- Learners who require WIL or practical workplace experience to complete their studies.
MISA encourages historically disadvantaged individuals to apply, although the apprenticeship and experiential programmes are not exclusively limited to previously disadvantaged communities.
Applicants must carefully check the requirements for the specific programme and field they wish to apply for.
Stipend / Salary
The information provided for the 2026/2027 MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme does not specify a stipend or salary amount.
Applicants should therefore not rely on unofficial claims about the amount of money payable under these programmes.
Placement and Location
Successful candidates will be placed in MISA-identified municipalities.
Applicants are advised to indicate their preferred municipality when submitting their applications. MISA encourages applicants to choose municipalities in areas where they reside where possible, as this may help reduce travelling and accommodation costs.
Applicants should also be prepared for possible rotation or relocation to other municipalities or private-sector organisations where this is required for adequate work exposure.
A list of participating host municipalities is available through the MISA and CoGTA websites.
Documents Required
All applications must include the required supporting documentation.
Applicants should submit:
- Completed MISA application form.
- Correct reference number for the trade or position applied for.
- Name of the municipality selected from the MISA list.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications.
- Certified copy of South African identity document.
- Proof of residential address.
- Release letter from the institution of higher learning, where applicable for learners who require WIL to complete their studies.
Important: Applicants are instructed to submit all documents in one package, sequentially arranged according to the application requirements.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How to Apply for the MISA Programme
Applicants must complete the official MISA application form and clearly indicate the reference number for the trade or position being applied for.
The application form can be obtained from the MISA or CoGTA websites. Applicants can also request the form by emailing:
misarecruitment2026@misa.gov.za
Apprenticeship Applications
Applications for the apprenticeship programme, together with the required documents, should be emailed according to the relevant trade:
- Electrical – Ref: 2026/01: CB.electrical@misa.gov.za
- Plumbing – Ref: 2026/02: CB.plumbing@misa.gov.za
- Bricklaying – Ref: 2026/03: CB.bricklaying@misa.gov.za
- Motor Mechanic – Ref: 2026/04: CB.motor@misa.gov.za
- Diesel Mechanic – Ref: 2026/05: CB.diesel@misa.gov.za
Experiential Learnership Applications
For experiential learnership opportunities:
- Ref: 2026a – Electrical: CB.electrical01@misa.gov.za
- Ref: 2026b – Civil: CB.civil@misa.gov.za
- Ref: 2026c – Town Planning: CB.town@misa.gov.za
Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included in the same submission.
Important Information for Applicants
MISA has highlighted several important conditions for applicants:
- Fax, postal and hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Fraudulent qualifications or documentation will result in disqualification.
- Successful candidates will undergo suitability checks.
- Suitability checks may include verification of qualifications, employment, credit, criminal records, company ownership/directorship and references.
- Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical fitness test.
- Direct or indirect canvassing for preferential treatment can result in disqualification.
- MISA reserves the right to make or not make appointments.
- If no response is received within 90 days after the closing date, applicants should presume that their application was unsuccessful.
- Correspondence regarding the advertised opportunities will be limited to successful candidates.
Why This Opportunity Is Worth Considering
The MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme provides an opportunity for eligible applicants to gain practical experience in areas linked to municipal infrastructure and technical services.
The three-year apprenticeship route may be particularly valuable for unemployed youth interested in artisan careers such as electrical work, plumbing, bricklaying and motor or diesel mechanics.
For graduates and WIL students, the experiential programme can provide workplace exposure that may help them satisfy academic practical-training requirements and develop experience for entering the labour market.
However, applicants should understand that participation does not guarantee permanent employment after completing the programme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MISA Apprenticeship Programme open for applications?
Yes. MISA is accepting applications for its 2026/2027 Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Skills Development Opportunities.
How long is the MISA Apprenticeship Programme?
The apprenticeship programme is structured as a three-year learnership programme aimed at training learners to become artisans.
Which trades are available?
The targeted apprenticeship trades are Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic and Diesel Mechanic.
Who can apply for the experiential learnership?
The programme caters for unemployed graduates in relevant technical fields and unemployed youth who require WIL to complete their studies.
How long is the graduate experiential programme?
MISA is offering two-year internship learning opportunities for unemployed graduates in relevant technical fields.
How long can WIL placement last?
Learners may require between 12 and 24 months of practical work experience or WIL, depending on their academic programme.
Is a stipend provided?
The information supplied does not confirm a stipend or salary amount. Applicants should rely on official MISA information rather than unofficial figures.
Where will successful applicants be placed?
Successful candidates will be placed in MISA-identified host municipalities. Applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred municipality.
How do I apply?
Applicants must complete the MISA application form, include the correct reference number and municipality, attach all required documents and email the application to the relevant address specified for the programme or trade.
Final Thoughts
The MISA Apprenticeship and Experiential Learnership Programme 2026/2027 provides opportunities for unemployed youth, technical graduates and WIL students to gain valuable practical workplace exposure.
With apprenticeship opportunities available in Electrical, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Motor Mechanic and Diesel Mechanic, the programme may be particularly relevant to applicants pursuing technical and artisan careers.
Before applying, carefully check the eligibility requirements, select the appropriate municipality and ensure that all supporting documents are included in one complete application package.
The closing date is 28 September 2026, so eligible applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.
Applicants should also remember that MISA does not guarantee employment after qualification and that all information submitted during the application process may be subjected to verification.
Simphiwe Dube is the Founder and Managing Editor of sa-learnership.co.za, an independent South African platform dedicated to publishing accurate information about learnerships, bursaries, internships and skills development programmes.
He specialises in researching and verifying updates from official government departments, SETAs, TVET colleges and accredited institutions to ensure readers receive clear, reliable and up-to-date guidance.
Simphiwe is committed to simplifying complex education and career information so that South African students, graduates and job seekers can make informed decisions with confidence.